Closed and deformable soap case

ABSTRACT

A soap case ( 1 ) including an elongated hollow body ( 1   a ) to accommodate a block of soap and having a closed rear longitudinal end ( 1   b ) and a front longitudinal end ( 1   c ) that is deformable between closed and open positions for using the block. The front end ( 1   c ) has a through-slot ( 2 ) with two lips ( 2   a,    2   b ) extending parallel to each other, with a distance of 1 to 20 mm between them in the closed position of the front end ( 1   c ) and diverging from one another. The opposite front longitudinal end ( 1   c ) is deformable between a closed position and an open position for using the block of soap, the hollow body having connecting faces without any perforations and being made of a material having a hardness on the Shore scale between 30 and 60.

This invention relates to a closed and deformable soap case containing a block of soap, a portion of which can project beyond the soap case during use of the block of soap, this part being intended for use by a user as it is progressively reduced in size by friction, advantageously by rubbing against a glove or a shower puff.

Shower gels or other liquid soaps are gaining in popularity over soaps even though they are more expensive. This is principally due to the difficulties of holding soaps which can slide out of the user's hands, in particular when the soaps are being rubbed against a glove worn by the user. Therefore it is difficult to hold a block of soap, in particular when the block of soap has become significantly smaller.

WO-A-2014/124506 relates to a retractable soap case designed to hold commercially available soap in suspension from a retractable system which is mounted in a previously determined location and can be fastened to the wall, to a faucet or in any other fixed location desired by the user. A soap case of this type makes the soap easier to use because it does not require any particular care in grabbing the soap and letting it go, while it prevents the soap from falling.

The soap case described in this prior art document makes it possible for the user to take hold of the soap without needing to remove the soap from the soap case, although it does not make it possible to control the consumption of soap caused by friction because the entire block of soap must be grabbed by the user and pressure must be applied to the soap case, which is in the form of a bag. All the soap is wetted with water and decomposes as it flows through the holes that are present in the soap case, which is in the form of a bag. The result is a significant waste of soap.

FR-A-2 497 651 describes a soap case equipped with a suction cup, the purpose of which is to fix the soap in position to hold it very firmly to prevent it from sliding out of the user's hand and falling into the water or out of the shower or bathtub. The soap applied to the device is held not only on the suction cup but is also clamped by triangles, the point of which is embedded in the soap. The plate holding the suction cup is equipped with a sliding T-shaped handle which closes once it is grasped allowing the user to soap up in complete security. This document does not strictly speaking describe a soap case but a soap equipped with a suction cup.

DE-C-936 823, GB-A-193 757, CH-A-300 878 and US-A1-2013/121751 display the characteristics described in the introduction to the main claim of the present patent application. However, these documents relate to a soap sponge, in which soap or soapy water is released via pores on the connecting faces of the soap case. A mouth is provided in these soap cases but is used only for the introduction of a soap into the interior of the soap case. Consequently soap is wasted and soap cases of this type are as wasteful as shower gels in terms of the actual soap.

Moreover, the majority of soap cases described in these documents combine soaping via the source of the soap inside the case with a massage performed by the case on the skin. The material of which the soap case is made must therefore be roughened, which contributes to increasing the price of soap cases of this type.

The problem addressed by this invention is to design a soap case that can accommodate soap in its interior while protecting it in a position in which the block of soap is not used, and allowing the emergence of a predetermined portion of the block of soap which projects out of the soap case during use in response to a simple action on the part of the user.

For this purpose, the present invention relates to a soap case comprising an elongated hollow body to accommodate in its interior a block of soap, the body having a closed rear longitudinal extremity and an opposite, deformable front longitudinal end connected by connecting faces, the front longitudinal extremity having a through-slot that emerges on the front longitudinal extremity and a mouth that extends over a major portion of a length of the front longitudinal extremity comprising two lips directed toward the rear extremity on one hand extending parallel to each other with a distance of 1 to 20 mm between them in the closed position of the front extremity and, on the other hand, diverging from one another in the open position of the front extremity, one of two lips called the free lip being sufficiently flexible so that it can be separated from the other lip by pressure against this free lip, while being returned to the closed position of the front extremity when no pressure is exerted on the free lip, characterized in that the opposite front longitudinal extremity is deformable between a closed position and an open position for use of the block of soap, the hollow body having connecting faces without perforations and made of a material having a hardness on the Shore scale between 30 and 60.

The technical effect is to allow only a portion of the soap block to project beyond the soap case while protecting the rest of the block of soap from contact with the skin, which could cause it to melt, which reduces losses of soap, in contrast to what is described in documents DE-C-936 823, GB-A-193 757, CH-A-300 878 and US-A1-2013/121751, in which water penetrates inside the soap case. When the projecting portion of the block of soap has become significantly smaller, it is possible to increase the portion of the block of soap that projects from the soap case by pressing on the soap case. The block of soap is therefore held firmly in position by the lips of the through-slot, which act as means to hold the soap in place.

This is accomplished by simple pressure of the user's hand on the soap case, because the soap case is deformable and transmits the pressure to the block of soap which can slide in the interior of the body of the soap case. The lips of the through-slot are sufficiently flexible that they can be separated under the force of the introduction of the block of soap between them and close once again when no force is exerted on them.

Hygiene is improved because the block of soap slides in the soap case not as a result of direct contact with the user's hand, but as a result of the pressure of the user's hand on the body of the soap case to initiate the sliding of the block of soap in the body of the soap case.

The life of the block of soap is improved because the block of soap is not in constant contact with water and is protected against such contact when it is not being used.

Compared to a shower gel, the block of soap is more economical and more environmentally friendly because it does not use the additives contained in shower gels.

The soap case can be used for different blocks of soap of different sizes and is therefore not disposable like a shower gel container. It can be reused for a new block of soap when the old block has been used up.

This soap case can go through security checks, unlike a shower gel, which is prohibited in an aircraft cabin.

The flexibility of the lips of the through-slot is an important characteristic of the soap case. This flexibility must be sufficient so that the lips separate under moderate pressure applied by the user on the exterior of the soap case, which action is transmitted by the flexibility of the body to the block of soap, which pushes on the lips to separate them.

On the other hand, the lips must be sufficiently rigid so that they do not open unintentionally, for example under the weight of the block of soap when the soap case is suspended vertically. This can be determined by tests performed by a person having ordinary skill in the art for blocks of soap and their specific soap cases. Advantageously, the material of the body is silicone, natural rubber or a thermoplastic elastomer, in particular a fluoroelastomer.

Advantageously, in the closed position of the front extremity, a separation between the two lips is the smallest at the final extremities of the two lips at the mouth of the through-slot. This makes it possible to preserve a good seal of the interior of the soap case with little risk of the introduction of water inside this body.

The through-slot advantageously extends into the body and has a length that extends at an inclination in relation to the length of the body. This assists in the opening of the through-slot and the separation of the lips of the through-slot.

The through-slot advantageously extends over at least one-fifth of the length of the body forming an angle of 20 to 70° in relation to a median longitudinal axis of the body. The through-slot does not need to be long; it only needs to guarantee a sufficient opening of the lips of the through-slot for the introduction or the emergence of a block of soap into or out of the body of the soap case.

The through-slot advantageously ends opposite the mouth, with a final portion that has a circular section. This final portion with a circular section promotes a wider opening of the through-slot without increasing its other dimensions.

The rear extremity comprises at least one opening that is just sufficient for the passage of at least one retaining cord through the rear extremity, this at least one retaining cord having a portion that extends beyond the body of the soap case.

Thanks to this retaining cord, the soap case can be suspended on a hook or on a water faucet, for example. The soap case can also be placed essentially horizontally in a soap dish. When the soap holder is suspended, because the through-slot has lips that press against one another, the block of soap cannot escape from the soap case under the force of gravity or as a result of its own weight, even if the block of soap has melted and has become smaller as it is used.

The at least one retaining cord advantageously forms a loop having two strands traversing the rear extremity via one of two respective openings.

The body is advantageously in the shape of a parallelepiped with front and rear longitudinal extremities that are convex toward the outside.

The invention also relates to a set consisting of a soap case and a block of soap accommodated in the interior of the soap case, characterized in that the soap case is as described above, the soap case being designed with a shape and dimensions so that the block of soap can slide in the body between a position in which it is entirely within the body and at least one projecting position in which a portion of the block of soap projects outside the body, the lips of the through-slot pressing against the block of soap and holding it in the at least one projecting position when no force is applied by the user to the block of soap to push it out of the body or to retract it into in the body.

An inside width and an inside height of the body of the soap case are advantageously respectively greater than an outside width and an outside height of the block of soap with a clearance between, on one hand, the width and, on the other hand, the height that is just sufficient so that the block of soap can slide inside the body, an internal length of the body being greater than a length of a new block of soap.

The user advantageously causes the block of soap to slide so that it projects out of the soap case by applying manual pressure to a portion of the external wall of the body close to the rear extremity of the soap case at the level of the edge of the block of soap farthest inside the body, the body being made of a material that is sufficiently deformable to transmit the pressure to the block of soap.

Other characteristics, objects and advantages of the present invention are described in greater detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate non-restricting exemplary embodiments in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an overhead view of a soap case in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of an overhead view in perspective of a soap case in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a head-on view in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention, the front longitudinal extremity and its through-slot being visible in this figure,

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a side view of a soap case in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention, the two lips of the through-slot of the front longitudinal extremity being visible in this figure,

FIG. 5 is a view from below of a soap case in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of a rear view of a soap case according to the embodiment of the present invention, the rear longitudinal extremity and two openings for the passage of a fastening cord being visible in this figure.

The drawings are provided by way of example and are in no way restrictive of the invention. They constitute schematic illustrations intended to facilitate an understanding of the invention and are not necessarily drawings to scale of practical applications. In particular, the dimensions of the different parts are not representative of reality.

In the following text, reference is made to all the figures considered in combination. When reference is made to one or more specific figures, these figures are intended to be consulted in combination with the other figures for the identification of the designated numerical references.

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 6, this invention relates to a soap case 1 comprising an elongated hollow body 1 a to accommodate in its interior a block of soap, the block of soap partly projecting from the body 1 a during washing.

The body 1 a has a closed rear longitudinal extremity 1 b and an opposite front longitudinal extremity 1 c which can be deformed between a closed position and an open position for use of the block of soap as a result of the projection of a portion of the block of soap outside the body 1 a of the soap case, the extremities 1 b and 1 c being connected by connecting faces.

In one particular configuration covered by the present invention, the body 1 a can have circular connecting faces, in which case the longitudinal extremities are then diametrically opposite each other. Likewise, in another configuration, the connecting faces can be essentially square.

The front longitudinal extremity 1 c has a through-slot 2 which emerges at the front longitudinal extremity 1 c and has a mouth that extends over a major portion of the length of the front longitudinal extremity 1 c. This through-slot 2 comprises two lips 2 a, 2 b that extend toward the rear extremity 1 b of the body 1 a but end before they reach this rear extremity 1 b. The through-slot 2 is visible in FIGS. 1 to 4 and most particularly in FIG. 4.

The two lips 2 a, 2 b of the through-slot 2 extend parallel to each other with a distance of 1 to 20 mm between them in the closed position of the front extremity 1 c. In the open position of the front extremity 1 c, by deformation of the through-slot 2, the two lips 2 a, 2 b can be made to diverge from each other and extend, creating a gap sufficient for the introduction or emergence of the block of soap into or out of the body 1 a.

One of the two lips 2 a, 2 b called the free lip 2 a is sufficiently flexible so that it can be separated from the other lip 2 b by pressure of the block of soap against this free lip 2 a and can be returned to the closed position of the front extremity 1 c when no pressure is exerted on the free lip 2 a.

In the closed position of the front extremity 1 c, a separation between the two lips 2 a, 2 b can be smallest at the final extremities of the two lips 2 a, 2 b, at the mouth of the through-slot 2 so that the interior of the body 1 a of the soap case 1 is watertight, the front extremity 1 c then being almost completely closed. However, it is advantageous to leave a small ventilation space between the lips 2 a, 2 b for the interior of the body 1 a and to allow the block of soap contained in the interior of the body 1 a to dry.

According to the invention, the opposite front longitudinal extremity 1 c is deformable between a closed position and an open position for use of the block of soap, the block of soap then projecting out of the soap case. The hollow body 1 a has connecting faces with no perforations so that the interior of the hollow body is watertight. In addition, the hollow body 1 a is made of a material that has a hardness on the Shore scale between 30 and 60, so that pressing on the hollow body 1 a can cause the block of soap to project at least partly from the soap case 1.

Only the portion of the block of soap projecting from the soap case is wetted and the rest of the block of soap inside the hollow body 1 a does not come in contact with water and does not melt.

The material of the body 1 a can be silicone, natural rubber, or a thermoplastic elastomer, for example of the type SBS, SEBS or MBS. A fluoroelastomer of the type FKM, FFKM or FEKM can also be used.

In FIG. 4, this separation is shown as remaining constant, which is also possible in the framework of the present invention.

As shown particularly clearly in FIG. 4, the through-slot 2 can extend into the body 1 a, having a length that extends in an inclined matter in relation to a length of the body 1 a viewed parallel to a longitudinal axis of the body 1 a of the soap case 1.

The through-slot 2 can extend over at least one-fifth of the length of the body 1 a forming an angle of 20 to 70° in relation to a portion of the median longitudinal axis of the body 1 a starting from the front extremity 1 c. This angle can advantageously be 45°.

The through-slot 2 can end in a final portion 2 c which has a circular section with a larger diameter than the separation between the two lips 2 a, 2 b.

With reference in particular to FIGS. 5 and 6, the rear extremity 1 b can comprise at least one opening 3 that is just sufficient to allow the passage of at least one retaining cord through the rear extremity 1 b. However, the opening 3 can be larger than the retaining cord and can have an oval shape to ventilate the interior of the body 1 a and allow the block of soap to dry more quickly.

This at least one retaining cord, not shown in the figures, can have a portion outside the body 1 a of the soap case 1 for the fastening of the soap case 1.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show two openings 3 on the rear extremity 1 b of the soap case 1. In this configuration, the at least one retaining cord can form a closed loop having two strands traversing the rear extremity 1 b via one of two respective openings 3, the extremity of each strand being fastened to the interior or exterior of the body 1 a to prevent it from escaping from the body via one of the openings 3.

As shown most clearly in FIG. 2, the body 1 a can be in the form of a parallelepiped with respective front and rear longitudinal extremities 1 c and 1 b that are convex toward the outside, i.e. they bulge outward.

The invention also relates to a set consisting of a soap case 1 and a block of soap accommodated inside the soap case 1. The block of soap is not shown in the figures although references to the FIGS. 1 to 6 will be used below to identify the elements of the soap case 1 as described above.

The soap case 1 is designed with a shape and dimensions so that the block of soap can slide inside the body 1 a between a position in which it is fully retracted into the body 1 a and at least one projecting position in which a portion of the block of soap projects outside the body 1 a. This makes possible an easy passage of the block of soap from a retracted, protected position into a projecting position for use and vice-versa.

Likewise, the lips 2 a, 2 b of the through-slot 2 can press against the block of soap in the at least one projecting position when no force pushing it outside the body 1 a or retracting it back into the body 1 a is being applied by the user to the block of soap.

This makes it possible to hold the block of soap in a projecting position and to prevent the block of soap from being pushed out farther or from retracting into the soap case 1. The stability of the block of soap in the projecting position is thus guaranteed as long as the user does not want to retract the block of soap into the soap case 1 or wishes to have the block of soap project even farther out of the soap case 1.

Consequently, an inside width and an inside height of the body 1 a of the soap case 1 can be respectively greater than an outside width and outside height of the block of soap with a clearance between these widths on one hand and these heights on the other hand that is just sufficient to allow the block of soap to slide inside the body 1 a and ensure sufficient ventilation around the block of soap.

With regard to the length of the soap case 1, an internal length of the body 1 a can be greater than the length of a new block of soap, advantageously greater than the longest length of a batch of new blocks of soap of different lengths, so that the soap case can be adapted to the largest possible number of types of blocks of soap.

The user can initiate the sliding of the block of soap so that it projects outside the body 1 a by applying manual pressure to a portion of the external wall of the body 1 a close to the rear extremity 1 b of the soap case 1 at the level of the most inside edge of the body 1 a of the block of soap. The body 1 a can be made of a material that is sufficiently deformable to transmit the pressure to the block of soap.

The user can exert a pinching action on the rear edge of the block of soap to advance it so that it passes beyond the front extremity 1 c through the through-slot 2. The user can also push it by its rear edge toward the front extremity 1 c by pressing on the rear extremity 1 b.

It is a simple matter to insert a block of soap into a soap case of this type. When the block of soap is introduced into the soap case 1, it can be moistened to facilitate its introduction. The block of soap is inserted into the through-slot 2 by separating one 2 a of the lips 2 a, 2 b from the other, lip 2 a which returns to the closed position once the block of soap is completely inside the body of the soap case.

When it is time to use the block of soap, the block of soap is pushed toward the front longitudinal extremity 1 c having the through-slot 2 by simple manual pressure applied by the user to the external wall of the body 1 a of the soap case 1. The lips 2 a, 2 b of the through-slot 2 are separated under the force of the advance of the block of soap but press on the block of soap to prevent it from escaping altogether or retreating into the body 1 a of the soap case 1 when no force is applied to it by the user. A block of soap is ready for use by rubbing on a glove or a shower puff. The block of soap can also be extracted completely from the soap case 1 and then returned to the soap case after use.

After use, the block of soap is pushed back or returned inside the body 1 a of the soap case 12 to prevent it from falling out or being exposed to water. This can be accomplished by manual pressure applied by the user to the projecting forward edge of the block of soap, advantageously via the intermediary of the glove or the shower puff.

The soap case can be recyclable and be made of plastic or another material, advantageously of food-grade silicone or bio-sourced polyurethane. It is advantageous that the soap case is not slippery even under water, which is why food-grade silicone or polyurethane are preferred.

The block of soap with its soap case can be used as shampoo in a location other than a bathroom, for example in the kitchen or as a portable block of soap, in particular while camping or as a detergent in a utility room.

The invention is in no way restricted to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which are given only by way of example. 

1. A soap case (1) comprising: an elongated hollow body (1 a) to accommodate in its interior a block of soap, the body (1 a) having a closed rear longitudinal extremity (1 b) and an opposite front longitudinal extremity (1 c) which are deformable and connected by connecting faces, having a through-slot (2) emerging at the front longitudinal extremity (1 c); a mouth extending over a major portion of a length of the front longitudinal extremity (1 c), the mouth comprising two lips (2 a, 2 b) that extend toward the rear extremity (1 b) parallel to each other with a distance of 1 to 20 mm between them in a closed position of the front extremity (1 c), and diverging from each other in an open position of the front extremity (1 c); wherein one of the two lips (2 a, 2 b) called the free lip (2 a) is flexible so that it can be separated from the other lip (2 b) by pressure against the free lip (2 a), while returning into the closed position of the front extremity (1 c) when no pressure is exerted on the free lip (2 a); and wherein the opposite front longitudinal extremity is deformable between a closed position and an open position for use of the block of soap, the hollow body (1 a) having connecting faces without any perforations and made of a material having a hardness on the Shore scale between 30 and
 60. 2. The soap case of claim 1, wherein the material of the body (1 a) is silicone, natural rubber or a thermoplastic elastomer, in particular a fluoroelastomer.
 3. The soap case of claim 1, wherein in the closed position of the front extremity (1 c), a gap between the two lips (2 a, 2 b) is smallest at the final extremities of the two lips (2 a, 2 b) at the mouth of the through-slot (2).
 4. The soap case of claim 1, wherein a through-slot (2) extends into the body (1 a) with a length extending in an inclined manner in relation to a length of the body (1 a).
 5. The soap case of claim 4, wherein the through-slot (2) extends over at least one-fifth of the length of the body (1 a) forming an angle of 20 to 70° in relation to a median longitudinal axis of the body (1 a).
 6. The soap case of claim 4, wherein the through-slot (2) ends, opposite the mouth, in a final portion (2 c) that has a circular section.
 7. The soap case of claim 1, wherein the rear extremity (1 b) comprises at least one opening (3) that is just sufficient for the passage of at least one retaining cord through the rear extremity (1 b), said at least one retaining cord having a portion outside the body (1 a) of the soap case (1).
 8. The soap case of claim 1, wherein the at least one retaining cord forms a loop having two strands traversing the rear extremity (1 b) via one of two respective openings (3).
 9. The soap case of claim 1, wherein the body (1 a) has a parallepiped shape with front (1 c) and rear (1 b) longitudinal extremities that are convex toward the outside.
 10. A kit consisting of a soap case (1) and a block of soap accommodated in the interior of the soap case (1), characterized in that the soap case (1) is according to claim 1, the soap case (1) being designed with a shape and dimensions so that the block of soap can slide in the body (1 a) between a position in which it is fully retracted into the body (1 a) and at least one position in which a portion of the block of soap projects outside the body (1 a), the lips (2 a, 2 b) of the through-slot (2) pressing against the block of soap and blocking it in this at least one projecting position when no force is applied to the block of soap by a user to push it farther outside the body (1 a) or back into the body (1 a), an inside width and an inside height of the body (1 a) of the soap case (1) being respectively greater than an outside width and an outside height of the block of soap with barely sufficient clearance between these widths on one hand and these heights on the other hand, so that the block of soap can slide inside the body (1 a), an internal length of the body (1 a) being greater than a length of a new block of soap.
 11. The kit according to claim 10, in which the user induces the sliding of the block of soap so that it projects outside the body (1 a) by pressing near the rear extremity (1 b) of the soap case (1), at the level of the edge of the soap farthest inside the body (1 a), the body (1 a) being made of a material that is sufficiently deformable to transmit the pressure to the block of soap. 